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Marussia F1 test driver conscious after bizarre crash

July 2, 2012

Maria de Villota, shown in a photo from 2011, was in a serious accident on Tuesday while conducting a straight-line test session. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

Marussia F1 team test driver Maria de Villota, 32, is conscious following a bizarre crash on Tuesday morning while conducting straight-line testing for the Formula One team at the Duxford Airfield in the United Kingdom.

According to reports out of Europe, de Villota had just begun her testing when, while attempting to return slowly to a temporary pit enclosure, the car jumped forward and crashed into the back of one of the team's trucks. Emergency personnel extracted the driver from the car and transported her to a hospital.

“Further to the accident involving the Marussia F1 Team's test driver Maria de Villota this morning, the team can confirm that Maria was transferred by ambulance from Duxford Airfield, where the accident happened, to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge,” the team said in a prepared statement.

“Since Maria's arrival at the hospital at approximately 10:45 this morning, she has been receiving the best medical attention possible at the hospital, which is the region's major trauma center. Maria is conscious and medical assessments are ongoing. The team will await the outcome of these assessments before providing further comment.

“The team's first priority at this time is Maria and her family.”

De Villota has racing experience in touring cars and the Superleague Formula. However, the test with Marussia was only the second time the daughter of ex-Formula One driver Emilio de Villota had tested an F1 car. She drove a 2009 Renault chassis in 2011.